The X-factorIf the Texans were to actually draft Mario Williams instead of a certain running back, they'd add a rare specimen to their defensive line

By John McClain |
April 25, 2006

Vince Young has been called a freak because of his incredible athletic ability.

If the Texas quarterback is a freak, then North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams is a super freak.

Williams, who is entering the NFL draft as a junior, put on an extraordinary exhibition at the Indianapolis scouting combine. He was 6-7, 295 when he ran the 40 in 4.70 seconds, benched 225 pounds 35 times and had a 40 1/2 -inch vertical jump — the same as Southern Cal running back Reggie Bush.

No wonder the Texans continue to insist they may select Williams with the first pick of the draft on Saturday.

Owner Bob McNair says Williams can have the same kind of impact on defense that Bush can have on offense.

"It's actually an honor," Williams said about being compared to Peppers, one of the NFL's premier defensive linemen. "He's a great player. To be compared to him is something I take very highly. I'm thankful."

Williams is the best defensive prospect in the draft. If the Texans pass him up for Bush, he could go anywhere from second to New Orleans to fifth to Green Bay.

"I plan to listen and learn and fit in with the team that takes me," Williams said. "I'll do whatever they want me to do — play end or tackle, gain weight or lose weight. It doesn't matter to me because it's all about the team."

Every coach in the NFL would love to have Williams on his roster.

"I haven't seen a guy like this in years," said Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher, who's expected to take a quarterback with the third overall pick. "I've seen impact players but nobody that has the potential to impact a defense like him."

After Williams is drafted early Saturday, his close friend and college teammate, Manny Lawson, is expected to go not too long afterward. With 4.43 speed, Lawson (6-6, 241) was the fastest lineman at the combine. He projects to outside linebacker in a 3-4.

"I'm faster, and I'm better looking, hands down," Lawson said. "I've been rated as an athlete, but he's your prototypical end. We complemented each other very well."

The Wolfpack voted Lawson as their most valuable player.

"Hey, honestly, the vote could have gone either way," Lawson said. "You know, when he was coming in to visit, I happened to be his player host, so I feel as though I brought him to N.C. State."

The two became roommates, and Williams learned a lot from Lawson on and off the field.

"He's a great player, and I fed off him all season," Williams said. "We were like, 'Meet me at the quarterback.' There was a lot of friendly competition between us. It was never like one of us was better than the other."

It's clear who the better prospect is, but both are going to become multimillionaires after they sign with their new teams. A lot of scouts say Williams has what it takes to become a perennial Pro Bowl pick.

"Pass rushing is second nature to me," Williams said. "I just come off the ball. It's instinctive. You have to be able to stop the run and rush the quarterback. I think I'm even in both parts of my game."

Because of his quickness, Williams excels outside. Because of his size and strength, he can play inside.

"Just put me where the coaches think I fit in best," Williams said. "It doesn't matter to me if I play left or right side. I've moved up and down the line. I've put my left hand down and my right hand down, but if I had to choose, I'd say the left side."

Williams was asked if he ever gets concerned with his weight.

"As long as I'm big and fast and I can make the play," he said, "I don't think it matters, does it?"

Head of the class

Name

Pos.

Ht.

Wt.

40 time

College

Mario Williams

DE

6-7

295

4.70

N.C. State

Comments: He is one of the most athletic players in the draft. Despite his size, he has a 40 1/2 -inch vertical jump. He also did 35 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press. He is often compared to Julius Peppers or Jevon Kearse. He has the perfect blend of size and quickness.

Haloti Ngata

DT

6-4 1/8

338

5.18

Oregon

Comments: He is able to push blockers back with his great strength and quickness. A physical player with very quick hands. Can split double teams. Good leverage and a great tackler.

Broderick Bunkley

DT

6-2 3/4

306

4.95

Florida State

Comments: Bunkley added bulk and strength last summer and it showed during the 2005 season. He has good field awareness and has a knack for knowing where the ball is. Explosive.

Kamerion Wimbley

DE

6-3 7/8

245

4.65

Florida State

Comments: He is coming off a knee injury, but scouts still like his size and quickness. He is part of the new breed of pass rushers — smaller but quick off the edge. The success of players like Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis have helped Wimbley's stock rise.

Mathias Kiwanuka

DE

6-5 3/4

266

4.75

Boston College

Comments: Great burst of speed and excellent ability to reach the quarterback when coming off the edge. Can turn his speed up a notch to chase quarterbacks out of the pocket.

Sleeper

Chris Decong

DE

6-2 1/8

263

4.70

Cal Poly

Comments: He is a late-comer to the defensive end position, but he has proved to be a natural. He shifted to defensive end from nose guard in 2004 and emerged as one of the most dominating pass-rushers that the NCAA Division I-AA has seen in years.